We are in the ludicrous situation where Brexiteers who before Christmas tried to oust the PM from office are now investing their faith in her to wring concessions from a Brussels whose intransigence was cited as one of the reasons we should leave.

Mrs May, who faces Jeremy Corbyn at PMQs today, will be grateful for any respite.

If there was a loser it was the campaign for a second referendum which appears to be losing momentum.

MPs opposed to a hard Brexit hardly covered themselves in glory yesterday by registering they oppose a no deal but voting against the mechanisms to prevent it.

This does not mean it cannot be averted.

Campaigners for a second referendum were the losers from last night's votes (Image: Anthony Harvey/REX/Shutterstock)

Tory Remainers could flex their muscles and try to block a no deal when MPs vote again in a couple of weeks.

But Parliament had the chance to take control of Brexit last night and, for good or ill, fluffed it.

Amid all the hubbub Jeremy Corbyn signalled what could prove to be a significant shift by Labour.

He used his speech to praise MPs on both sides of the Commons who are pushing for the Norway option.

Although he did not explicitly endorse it, he said this: “Those advocating a Norway Plus or Common Market two-point-zero have worked on a cross-party basis.

“They are clear that not only do we need full access to the Single Market but a customs union too.

“So that is why a new comprehensive and permanent customs union has long been Labour’s policy. It is a pragmatic solution that helps to deliver the Brexit that people voted for, to deliver the frictionless trade that the Prime Minister once promised, that helps to deliver a solution to the Irish backstop, and that helps to deliver a majority in this House for a deal.”

Will this form the basis of his talks with Mrs May this afternoon?

The Prime Minister is opposed to retaining membership of the single market because it requires continued freedom of movement.

But if her attempt to reopen the backstop fails, as it will, and there is no appetite for a no deal, then some fudge on the customs union may end up being the only option apart from going back to the people.